Oakland University has cool weather and fast times In Chicago

CHICAGO, IL -- The Golden Grizzlies welcomed the month of October and the cool weather that came with it by traveling to �the windy city of Chicago to participate in the Loyola Lakefront Invitational. Great competition, a fast course, and cool temperatures made for season PR's all around.

Freshman Bill Monnett once again showed his toughness by bouncing back from last week for a 40th place finish and a personal record for a cross country 8K of 26:38. Freshman Ryan Bissell also ran a PR for a 113th place finish with a time of 27:38. Rounding out the top 5 was freshman Kurt Brinker with a PR of 27:50 good for 136th, Sophomore Joel Sellentine with a season PR of 28:16 in 162nd, and freshman Brian Phillips in 173rd with a time of 28:30. Continuing the trend of season PR's was senior Scott Turner (29:03), junior Josh Lyon (29:05), freshman Kevin Donovan (29:25), freshman Mark Jenkins (29:47), and sophomore Matt Pardo (31:30). When all was said and done the men found themselves in 22nd place in the 39 team field.

A nice pack up front made for a close race on the women's side. For the first time this season, the women were led by six time high school state champion from Whitmore Lake, freshman Betsy Speer, with a time of 19:36 good for 59th place. Just one step behind was junior Jeanine Chura in 60th place with an identical time of 19:36. Both women running season PR's. Just behind them was freshman Jennifer Kunst who continues to run PR's week after week. Jenny knocked 10 more seconds off her PR with a time of 19:37 good for 62nd place. Rounding out the top five were freshman Kristin Lenderman, who continues to amaze us all, cutting another minute off her season PR with a time of 21:19, and freshman Sarah George, also with a season PR of 21:23. Other finishers for OU were freshman Kelly Fradette with a season PR of 21:32, Ann Dzeroogian with a season PR of 21:42, Colleen Fradette with a season PR of 22:05, and Beth Knight also with a season PR of 22:54. All those PR's added up to a 21st place finish in the field of 36 teams.

The Golden Grizzlies will travel to Kalamazoo, MI on October 9th to participate in the Michigan Intercollegiate Invitational, and will head to Defiance, OH on October 17th for the Defiance Invitational. Look for an update on these two meets in a few weeks. In the meantime, maybe we'll see some of you out there cheering. Thanks for your continued support, and thanks to all the alumni and parents who have been making the trips!!!